We were walking along the top of a UNSC Mammoth on a red, rocky planet. My team had been selected to come and support a research group in their study of a forerunner artifact that had recently been discovered. My battle rifle was at the ready, prepared for anything.I didn't know why I had my rifle out, we had rocket turrets on every side of this thing, manned by the only people I trusted. I and Lilith were the only two not on turrets, there were only six. I turned to look at her on the other side of the mammoth, completely stiff in the sandy gusts of Requiem's broadside.

She'd opened up to me about Kikyo after some prodding. But I almost felt bad for digging into all of her personal things. It seemed like it may have brought up bad memories.

I rocked with my thoughts when a marine came up to my side and caught my attention.

"Ma'a-sir, um the commander would like to see you below deck." stuttered the marine. I never could find out why they were so terrified of us.

I thanked and dismissed him as I walked down the stairs and into the hold of the mammoth. Inside, was Commander Palmer,with fireteam Majestic at attention just in front of her. DeMarco scowled at me, I simply kept walking. I stopped at Palmer's side and turned to face her.

"You wanted to see me sir?" I asked, as she turned away from Majestic to now face me.

"I heard you had a run in with Majestic, and I'm terribly sorry for DeMarco's ignorance." she said, "But that's not what I called you down here for. You and Majestic will be working together on this mission by request of the researchers for two fireteams. I don't like it any more than you but orders are orders."

I gulped back a snarl before nodding at Palmer and side-eying DeMarco.

"Alright, since that's understood, let's get to w-"

Palmer was cut short by an explosion from above deck. A marine scattered down the stairs as we all turned at him at once.

"Contact!" he screamed as another explosion rocked the inside of the mammoth.

I heard my squad's rocket turrets responding to the fire as I dashed up the stairs with Paler as Majestic grabbed their weapons and helmets.

As I broke onto the top of the Mammoth sunlight blinded me for a moment before I saw the band of banshees firing on us. The rocket turrets were firing too slow to catch the nimble and swift covenant ships. I ducked as one flew right over my head, this gave me an idea.

I looked around on the top of the Mammoth and found the jetpacks, strapping one on I jogged back to the center of the rumbling beast. I watched as a banshee evaded another barrage of rockets and rolled directly towards the mammoth. As it came around I jumped into the air and felt the jetpack engage, snapping me upwards before I could fall. I cut the thrusters as the banshee flew under me. When I fell I saw the world progress in slow motion, my feet and arms twirling to keep me upright as the banshee's wing came ever so close. I landed on the wing with a thud as it continued flying and I was left clinging to the ship for dear life. The pilot must have noticed me because he rolled the banshee to try and shake me. I gripped the wing even tighter as it rolled, leaving dents in the strange alloy.

As we righted again I grabbed the top of the cockpit and pulled it open, grabbing the startled elite by the nape of the neck and throwing him out the back of the banshee, his screams and grunts being silenced as I jumped into the banshee and the cockpit closed around me.

I opened up team comms, "Fallen, how do I fly this thing?!" I asked frantically as the front of the alien spacecraft showed me a real time image of the outside.

"The two orbs by your hands will accelerate decelerate turn etc. just takes some getting used to!" she yelled as I heard her rocket turret go off once more.

I watched the view turn towards the ground as the banshee slowed and pointed towards the ground. I grabbed the orbs quickly and pulled up on them, the banshee shooting straight upwards.

"Sam you're gonna have to not be so jerky on those controls." said Sarah.

"no shit…" I mumble under my breath as I carefully turned.

"There should be buttons on the orbs, left is the plasma bomb, right are the guns." said Fallen as I once again heard a barrage of rockets over her comm.

"Got it" I confirmed as I turned to watch one of the few banshees finally be struck down by rocket fire.

"Team, we have one friendly banshee in the air, it is now marked in your HUD's, do not fire on this banshee, I repeat, do not fire on this banshee." I said, receiving 7 different acknowledgement lights blinking green in my HUD.

I breathed out before boosting towards my first target and getting on his tail. I fired my guns and watched as his shields flickered and he tried to evade but was just too slow. I cut his wing off in a hail of plasma and watched him spiral into a crash. I cheered before turning back towards the swarm. I fired a plasma bomb into the masses and got a lucky clip on one banshee, taking out it's shields and allowing it to be torn apart by an entire fireteam's worth of gunshots.

"Atta way Majestic!" I cheered to myself once more.

I dipped to the right to find another banshee. As I went to fire the banshee flew upwards and I lost sight of it. I looked around then veered left as I took shots from behind.

"Ah, shit! Fireteam Majestic, Crimson, I got a tail and I can't shake him, need a little assistance!" I said across comms.

I flew towards the Mammoth and watched as several rocket turrets turned to face me. I accelerated past the Mammoth and gave the team a clear shot at the tailing banshee. I heard the banshee be obliterated by rocket fire. I swerved back around and picked off a few more with the guns before taking down another with the plasma bomb. I looped back around to watch the final banshee taken down by a rocket launcher from the deck. I sighed in relief as I pulled the banshee over the Mammoth. I let it continue flying as I opened the cockpit and slid out, activating my jetpack and touching down on the top of the friendly vehicle again, happy to be back on the ground.

I was greeted by cheers and high-spirits from all of the crew, SPARTANs included. smiled and laughed along with them as the Mammoth slowed to a stop about a mile later.

"This your stop ladies, good luck." said Commander Palmer as both Fireteams hopped off the Mammoth and onto the sand. Both fireteams took a knee in the sand as the Mammoth pulled away and around a corner, out of sight.

I pulled up my TacPad and looked for the location of the researchers, finally finding them i sent the coordinates to my fireteam without explanation, though none was needed.

I looked to DeMarco, "Your team need these coordinates?" I asked as politely as I could muster.

DeMarco looked up from his TacPad from which he seemed to be frustrated at, "Nah, nah I'll find em'." he said spitefully.

I shrugged and looked at the other four members who nodded behind his back. I gave a quick nod of understanding and sent the coordinates over quickly. I turned back to my squad as Majestic brought together a plan while their leader looked for the coordinates still. I chuckled at his frustration and stood.

"Crimson,we are Oscar Mike, Majestic, you coming?" I asked with a playful lilt to my voice as DeMarco almost shook with fury.

"Fine, send me the coordinates." he said with a huff.

I sent him the coordinates with a low throated laugh and walked off with my team.